Tenants FAQs - Commonly Asked Questions Answered!

Q. Do you charge a Letting Agents fee?

A. We charge 40% of one month’s rent + VAT with a minimum charge of £200 per person (+VAT) when you agree to rent a property. We do not charge extra for references or tenancy agreements or guarantor references. Our fee covers everything - no hidden surprises.

Q. Why do I have to pay this?

A. As a letting agent we pass on any administration fees to a new tenant to cover the cost of taking up references and credit checks, providing any tenancy agreement and other related documents as well as administering the tenancy deposit with the UK’s Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

Q. I’ve changed my mind and now don’t want the rental property. Do I get my fees back?

A. Unfortunately not. The reason being, once you say yes to a rental property as responsible letting agents, we stop advertising it and remove it from all property websites. We will have turned away other potential tenants and probably cancelled viewings too. We will have to start the marketing process again, causing the landlord to have an empty property for longer.

Q. The landlord has changed his/her mind and is not now going to let the property. What happens to the fees I paid?

A. Your fees will be refunded in full.

Q. My references were not acceptable and the landlord has rejected my tenancy. What happens to the fees I paid?

A. We will refund your fees less an administration charge of £100 + VAT.

Q. Why do you need to reference my guarantor?

A. Your landlord needs to know that your guarantor is able to cover your rent if you default.

Q. I have just arrived from abroad, and have no credit or landlord history in the UK. How do I rent a property if you cannot reference me?

A. If it's possible for you to provide references from overseas landlords or agencies from whom you rented your last property, we will check them as part of our fees. Alternatively, some landlords will accept a lump sum (3 or 6 months in advance) in lieu of references.

Q. Do you charge a renewal fee after the initial term of the tenancy?

A. If the occupants remain the same, we do not charge a renewal fee. If one or more of the occupants change then we charge £100 + VAT per person to cover an administration charge.

Q. Do I need insurance?

A. Your possessions will not be covered by the landlord’s contents insurance. You will need to insure your own contents. Call Jo on 0117 973 9394 or email jo@aul.org.uk for a quote.

Q. Am I liable for the Council Tax and utilities?

A. Typically, yes. Sometimes we offer properties that include Council Tax and/or utilities and this will be prominently mentioned in the advertising.

Q. I have a 6-month contract but want to leave after 3 months. Am I liable for rent for the whole period?

A. The letter of the law says ‘yes’. You have entered into a contract and you cannot break the tenancy agreement without penalty. However, the landlord must make every effort to find a replacement and must prove that he has done this. You should then expect to pay rent up to the date when a new tenant moves in.

Q. Can I give notice whenever I like?

A. No. Your notice should start on the anniversary date of the start of your tenancy. For example, if your tenancy started on the 14th of the month, notice would start from the 14th. If you gave notice to your landlord on the 16th July, the notice would not start until the 14th August and your leaving date would be the 13th September. Paying rent on a different date to your start date does NOT affect your notice date.

Q. I don’t like the décor in my property - can I redecorate?

A. Unless you have prior, written permission from your landlord you cannot redecorate the rental property.

Q. Who is responsible for maintaining the property?

A. As a general rule, your landlord is responsible for the upkeep of the fixtures and fittings included the rental of your property. Very rarely landlords insert exceptions into an agreement. If there is an exception, make sure you are aware of this and you agree to it before signing your tenancy.

Q. I am not happy with the inventory, it doesn’t seem accurate. What do I do?

A: Bring this up with your landlord or agent within five working days of moving in. Explain why you are not happy and back it up with photos if necessary. Time is of the essence. Complaining that, “It was like that when we moved in” at the end of your tenancy is not credible and will not be accepted when it comes to return of your deposit.

Q. I’m new to Bristol and don’t know where to start. Can you help me?

A. Absolutely! If it wasn’t already abundantly obvious, we LOVE Bristol and like to think we know everything there is to know about what to do, where to live, and why. If you don't know where to start, then just give Peter a call on 0117 973 9394 or email peter@aul.org.uk

Or check out the following websites that can help you discover more about Bristol:

As you may have gathered, we like to keep things simple and believe that transparency between tenant and letting agency is better for everyone involved.

If you have any other questions or queries please feel free to pick up the phone or drop us an email. We would be only too happy to help any prospetive tenant, and can promise an honest answer at all times.